Headaches and migraines can significantly impact quality of life. Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a distinct approach by identifying the underlying patterns that contribute to headaches rather than simply addressing the pain. TCM categorizes headaches by location, quality, and triggers, with each pattern suggesting different treatment strategies. This individualized approach is a key reason many patients turn to acupuncture for headache support.
TCM practitioners differentiate headaches based on their location (frontal, temporal, vertex, occipital), quality (sharp, dull, throbbing), and associated symptoms. Acupuncture point selections are tailored accordingly, with points on the Gallbladder, Liver, and Stomach meridians commonly used. For tension-type headaches, local points on the head and neck are combined with distal points. For migraine patterns, practitioners may address the Liver and Gallbladder meridian systems. Auricular acupuncture and ear seeds may be used between sessions for ongoing support.